Head of Faculty: Humanities and Social Studies

 Do you have a compelling vision for excellence in humanities in an inner-city setting?

Are you looking for the opportunity to lead a dynamic and creative humanities faculty to great achievements and excellent outcomes?

 Are you a dynamic teacher and inspiring leader with a passion for humanities and transforming the life chances of young people?

At Langdon Park School we are seeking to appoint professionals of the highest calibre as we fulfil our ambition to transform the life chances of our students and their community. Progress has been significant over the last few years—GCSE and post-16 outcomes are rapidly improving, as is attendance; we are over-subscribed and enjoy the full support of our families and the community; our students are proud, loyal and well behaved; our sixth form has doubled in size in the last four years with successful Oxbridge applicants in the last two years. Our staff work extremely hard and are passionate about the school, the students and our 4BEs ethos: Be Professional; Be Inclusive; Be a Learner; Be Knowledgeable.

We are seeking to appoint a passionate and strategic Head of Humanities and Social Studies Faculty who is committed to leadership development and the highest quality education for all students. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about contemporary thinking in humanities; they will have a clear vision and understand effective curriculum design and implementation; cognitive humanities; sequencing and responsive teaching will be at the heart of their thinking. The successful candidate will also have evidence of effectively leading staff and raising students’ outcomes. The successful candidate will join a progressive school where CPD is evidence-based and engaging at the same time, as staff workload and wellbeing is also prioritised. 

About the role:

To lead the humanities and social studies faculty which includes history, geography, RE, citizenship, government and politics, sociology and psychology.

All students study RE at GCSE and over 90% study history or geography at GCSE.

Psychology and sociology are popular A-Level choices as is GCSE Citizenship and GCSE Sociology.

Each subject has a subject lead/head of department who you will line manage.

 In addition to the subject leads there are two main scale geography teachers and a teacher of history with a responsibility for curriculum development.

Attainment and outcomes need to continually improve and in particular in history and geography.

You will benefit from engaging and impactful CPD, coaching and supported to achieve your career goals.

You will be part of the extended leadership team and play in key role and have a voice in shaping the school improvement plan.

What we offer in the school:

‘Leaders and teachers ensure that they know and champion each individual pupil…have high expectations of all…There is a warm regard between staff and pupils…Pupils are calm and polite, friendly and courteous…Staff are proud to work at the school. They appreciate leaders’ support for their well-being and the provision of professional development opportunities” Ofsted, April 2023

• A structured school and subject CPD programme
• Access to NPQML or NPQSL qualifications
• Open-door with the Head-teacher and KIT (Keeping-in-touch) appointments
• Fortnightly line-management meetings
• A focus on cognitive-science, pedagogy and regular sharing of teaching and learning
• Free access to an on-site gym and staff counsellor
• Time off in lieu days in recognition of CPD
• A clear staff code of conduct and well-being charter
• Cycle 2 work scheme
• Free car parking and excellent transport links for all of London

The purpose of your role will be:   

• To lead, manage and develop the subject area(s) 
• To ensure the faculty leads and drives whole school improvement 
• To lead and embody the promotion of the school ethos, its policies, routines and expectations with absolute consistency 
• To secure excellent progress and attainment of all students across the subject and to ensure gaps are narrowed within the curriculum areas. 
• To provide professional leadership and management for the Faculty and to support, develop and hold team members accountable for student progress. 
• To lead, manage and develop the curriculum in order to secure high quality teaching, the effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement of all students. 
• To create and lead an aspirational culture and learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.   
• To effectively lead, manage and deploy staff, financial and physical resources within the faculty
• To share and support the school’s responsibility to monitor wellbeing and provide opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Your main areas of responsibility will fall under the areas of:   

• Operational and strategic leadership (including formulating the faculty improvement plans, and leading the development of skills and knowledge rich schemes of learning and assessment strategies)   
• Ensuring the delivery of an ambitious, comprehensive, high quality curriculum in all classes 
• Staff development (including developing, recruiting, and managing an effective team of motivated staff)   
• Student outcomes (including ensuring the effective operation monitoring and evaluation systems and the input and maintenance of accurate student data)   
• Teaching, including acting as an outstanding role model

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will:   

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, leadership training   
• Demonstrate successful teaching of GCSE and A-level at a good or outstanding level   
• Have experience of initiation and effective management of change   
• Show evidence of raising achievement in present post and showing good value added for groups   
• Have knowledge of current curriculum developments in subject and their implications   
• Have good knowledge and understanding of current educational thinking   
• Show good understanding of how children learn and how to raise standards of achievement   
• Have good communication skills in speech and writing   
• Display excellent organisational skills   
• Be able to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with students   
• Be able to contribute towards creating a safe and protective environment

Please note we reserve the right to withdraw the advert should we recruit before the deadline.

Langdon Park is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A DBS enhanced disclosure that is satisfactory to us will be a condition of appointment.

Please apply using the TES online application.

For any more information please contact on Sue Isaac (Headter's PA) 0207 987 4811 or email Isaacs@langdonpark.org

Deadline: 9.00am - Monday 11th November 2024 .Interviews will be held on Friday 15th November 2024